The Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, one of Hearts Beat as One Foundation’s beneficiaries and partners, has begun a four month renovation which will help make their facility for clients more “functional” and “hopeful,” WSOC reports.

The Men’s Shelter is one of several agencies serving Charlotte residents experiencing homelessness, and one of the agencies with which we partner to provide meals and other support.

Recently, two leaders in Charlotte’s efforts to address economic immobility and inequities wrote into the Charlotte Observer with thoughts on what makes up a “secret sauce” of success for tackling our city’s most pressing needs.

Molly Shaw, executive director of Communities In Schools, Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, executive director of Leading On Opportunity, and Brain Collier, executive vice president of Foundation For The Carolinas, wrote:

Whether we realize it or not, many of us have gotten to where we are in large part because of connections, networks and exposure. Those of us with broad networks have significant opportunity. Yet even the smartest, most motivated people may struggle to realize their dreams if they lack access. The network of relationships that enable people to connect and society to advance is known as social capital.

In the Leading On Opportunity task-force report, social capital is defined as the building of relationships and networks that may very well be the “secret sauce” for helping economically disadvantaged youth navigate systems, gain access to information, and open doors to resources and opportunity. It could change the future lives of many of our community’s children.

Shaw, Cooper-Lewter and Collier go on to explain how you, me, each of us as individuals can have a role to play in creating the environments our communities need for success.

Here at Hearts Beat as One Foundation, we agree in collective action to better our communities. In our work, our “secret sauce” includes special ingredients — joint collaboration, volunteerism, and community giving.

Our secret sauce’s ingredients are easily found in events like Meet Up & Serve, which we’re hosting on April 14. First, we’re collaborating with like-minded organizations like Stonewall Sports Charlotte. Second, we’re capitalizing on our collaborations’ ability to inspire community members just like you to get out and volunteer. And, third, we hope, if you find yourself touched or inspired by this important work, that you will give to continue the good work of promoting growth and success for everyone who calls Charlotte home.

There’s great news for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, and especially for low-income residents most at-risk for new HIV diagnoses.

Mecklenburg County has announced a new pilot program to support the use of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for low-income patients.

From the Charlotte Observer:

With new HIV infections believed to be increasing, Mecklenburg County’s Health Department is launching a pilot program to give 320 high-risk people a drug designed to reduce the risk of getting the virus.

The county is partnering with drug-maker Gilead, which will distribute daily doses of Truvada to people believed to be at risk of contracting HIV. While Gilead will cover the drug’s cost, the county will spend $233,000 over six months to pay for the clinic visits and testing for people participating in the trial.

“We’re trying to get it off the ground as fast as we can,” said county Health Director Gibbie Harris.

But there’s a problem. Some in the community are worried about how tiny homes will affect property values.

Cue Maddalon:

The math we do in our heads often gets skewed by irrational assumptions. Euclid’s first common notion in his ancient book of mechanical law says, “Things which are equal to the same things are equal to each other.” In other words, if A = B and B = C then A = C. For purposes of this conversation, if small houses = small incomes and small incomes = undesirables, then small houses = undesirables.

It is true. People equate poverty with a certain “undesirableness.” It’s an unfortunate reality.

But tiny home advocates really are on to something, not only here in Charlotte, but elsewhere, too.

Across the nation, those working to end homelessness have found tiny homes to be the perfect solution. YES! Magazine profiled just a few of those nascent projects a few years ago. Click here to read more about them.